. >> reporter: at number five, is september 11th attack in benghazi injected foreign policy into the race. >> justice will be done. >> reporter: but a week later the campaign shifted again to that hidden-camera video of romney's comments on the 47%, an instant obama attack ad, and number four among the year's biggest moments. >> there are 47% who are with him, who depend on them. >> reporter: the gop contender needed a breakout moment and got one at number three. >> i love big bird. actually like you, too. >> reporter: the debates -- and president obama's lackluster performance in the fist face-off put romney back in the hunt. the president would have to redeem himself and polls show he did. >> i said if i got bin laden in our sights i would take that shot. >> reporter: but at number two came the mother of october surprises -- sandy. the devastating superstorm put much of the nation's focus on the president's handling of the crisis and the high marks he received from a top romney surrogate, new jersey governor chris christie. >> i cannot thank the president enough for his personal co